96 Artworks Including Dr. Ahn's Calligraphy Exhibited Worth 11 Billion KRW
An unpublished prison calligraphy by patriot Ahn Jung-geun has once again been put up for auction, drawing attention to whether it will be repatriated domestically.
Calligraphy by Ahn Jung-geun 'Insimjoseokbyeonsansaekgogeumdong' 33.8×137.2cm, March 1910[Photo by Seoul Auction]
On the 8th, Seoul Auction announced that it will hold its February auction featuring 96 works, including unpublished calligraphy by Ahn Jung-geun, totaling approximately 11 billion KRW, on the afternoon of the 27th at The Boon the Shop Cheongdam in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.
Following last month's two-person planned auction featuring Park Sae-gwang and Park Rae-hyun, Seoul Auction will present three cultural heritage items with significance for domestic repatriation in this auction.
The antique artworks drawing attention for potential domestic repatriation include ▲ Ahn Jung-geun’s unpublished calligraphy “Insimjoseokbyeonsansaekgogeumdong (人心朝夕變山色古今同)” ▲ Chusa Kim Jeong-hui’s “Sigo, Mukrando” ▲ and Sisan Yoo Un-hong’s “Seowon Ajipdo,” totaling three pieces.
Among these, “Insimjoseokbyeonsansaekgogeumdong” conveys the message “People’s hearts change morning and evening, but the mountain’s colors remain the same as in the past and present,” and is said to have been written by Ahn while imprisoned before his execution. Currently, about 31 pieces of Ahn’s calligraphy are registered as nationally designated cultural treasures in Korea.
Notably, Seoul Auction explained that last December’s auction featured “Yonghojiungsegijaginmyojitae,” which sold for 1.95 billion KRW, setting the highest price for Ahn’s calligraphy and prompting many collectors owning Ahn’s works to inquire about consigning their pieces.
“Sigo, Mukrando” is a paired work combining Chusa Kim Jeong-hui’s poetry and ink orchid painting, while “Seowon Ajipdo,” depicting historical figures enjoying leisure in a garden gathering of Northern Song literati, was painted by Sisan Yoo Un-hong, a painter from the Joseon Dynasty Dohwaseo (royal painting bureau). “Seowon Ajipdo” is a masterpiece showcasing Yoo Un-hong’s meticulous and detailed brushwork, attracting interest as such a large-scale work is rare among his known pieces.
Additionally, a Goryeo celadon vase titled “Cheongja Sanggam Bicheonsonghatan Geuminmulmun Gwihyeong Maebyeong” is estimated at 1 to 2.5 billion KRW and is seeking a new owner. The piece features rare iconography including flying celestial beings playing instruments, pine trees, a sage playing a geomungo beneath, and dancing cranes, combining incised and inlaid techniques.
In the modern and contemporary art category, works such as Yun Hyong-keun’s 100-ho sized “Umber-Blue,” Kim Whanki’s 1969 pointillist painting “4-XI-69 #132,” and pieces by Park Soo-keun will be exhibited.
The Seoul Auction preview exhibition will be held from the 9th to the 15th at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center, and from the 17th until the auction day on the 27th at The Boon the Shop Cheongdam.
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